كشفت وسائل إعلامية إسبانية عن آخر مستجدادت مفاوضات نادي برشلونة مع لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي أتلتيك بلباو، نيكو ويليامز، خلال الفترة الحالية من الموسم.

وارتبط الجناح الإسباني بالانضمام إلى الفريق الكتالوني هذا الصيف، لتعزيز خط الهجوم استعدادًا للموسم الجديد.

ويسعى برشلونة إلى إجراء تعزيزات في صفوف فريقه استعدادًا للموسم المقبل، من أجل المنافسة على لقبي دوري أبطال أوروبا والدوري الإسباني.

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وأشارت صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” إلى أن نادي برشلونة قد توصل لاتفاق مع نيكو ويليامز، لاعب أتلتيك بلباو للتعاقد معه وذلك خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الحالية.

وتابعت أن برشلونة يريد كسر قيمة الشرط الجزائي في عقد نيكو ويليامز مع بلباو، في بداية شهر يوليو المقبل خلال يومي 1 أو 2 من الشهر القادم، لتكون مع بداية السنة المالية الجديدة.

وتهدف إدارة برشلونة إلى التوقيع مع ويليامز لكي يشارك في الموسم التحضيري للنادي الكتالوني تحت قيادة مدربه هانز فليك في منتصف يوليو.

جدير بالذكر أن قيمة الشرط الجزائي في عقد نيكو ويليامز مع أتلتيك بلباو يبلغ حوالي 58 مليون يورو.

وشارك ويليامز العام الماضي مع أتلتيك بلباو في 45 مباراة بجميع المسابقات، وتمكن من تسجيل 11 هدفاً وصناعة 7 أهداف.

Arsenal are now racing Real Madrid and Barcelona for an attacking midfielder with a £35m release clause, according to a report.

Gunners eyeing talented youngsters

While one of Mikel Arteta’s main priorities for the summer is likely to be bringing in a new striker, the manager is also keen on bringing in talented young players for his future project.

One position in which Arteta is looking to strengthen is left-back, and 19-year-old Ajax defender Jorrel Hato has now emerged as an option, having been admired by the Gunners for a considerable period of time.

Hato’s first-team experience in the Eredivisie indicates he could be capable of pushing for a starting spot straight away, but the north Londoners also have some more up-and-coming targets in mind.

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Arteta’s side are also seriously considering a move for Dinamo Tbilisi defender Saba Kharebashvili, who is just 17 years old, and they have now made contact to discuss a deal, although there could be fierce competition from Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Arsenal may also have to do battle with Madrid for the signature of River Plate’s Franco Mastantuono, according to a report from Spain, which states they have now set their sights on the young attacking midfielder.

Mastantuono, who has a £35m release clause in his River Plate contract, has started to attract the attention of some of Europe’s top clubs, owing to his meteoric rise in Argentina, with Liverpool, Barcelona and Chelsea also being named as potential suitors.

The Gunners have been impressed by the 17-year-old’s vision and ability on the ball, viewing him as a player who could add creativity to their midfield, and River Plate have reluctantly accepted the youngster will soon move to Europe.

"Superstar" Mastantuono could go right to the top

Freelance scout Ben Mattinson has lauded the young Argentine as a “superstar”, and for good reason, given that he has already established himself as a first-team regular for River Plate, during which time he’s displayed his play-making abilities.

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig has also described the starlet as a “true football artist”, and he has put in some top performances in recent weeks, most recently scoring in his side’s Copa Argentina triumph over Ciudad de Bolivar.

Albeit in Argentina, Mastantuono establishing himself as a key player for the senior team at such a young age is no mean feat, and it indicates the River Plate ace could be able to make the step up to the Premier League before long.

£35m is a huge sum to pay for a 17-year-old, but the teenager is drawing attention from the likes of Real Madrid and Barça for a reason, and it could be a real show of intent if Arsenal are able to win the race for his signature.

Liverpool have surprised more than a few with their sustained title-worthy performances, but Arne Slot’s side aren’t likely to be one-season wonders.

The Premier League title is within touching distance now that Arsenal have flaked away, trailing 13 points behind the Anfield side with less than three months to go (having played a game less).

It’s been a defining few weeks for Liverpool, who met a gruelling run of fixtures with purpose, emerging with 11 points from 15.

Injury-hit Arsenal couldn’t keep up, not when the tireless Dominik Szoboszlai has been supercharging the Red engine.

Dominik Szoboszlai's brilliant form

Regarded for his energy and athleticism, Szoboszlai’s middling output in front of goal has been the bane of his Liverpool career since joining from RB Leipzig for £60m in July 2023.

However, the Hungary skipper has found his Midas touch over the past several weeks, with Fabrizio Romano praising him for being “unstoppable” in front of goal recently.

Uncontainable in the attacking section of Slot’s midfield, Szoboszlai brings an all-encompassing sheen that has been so important in breaking free of Arsenal, and he’s now starting to look like one of the division’s finest.

However, the 23-year-old has still got work to do if he is to become Liverpool’s best midfielder, since there’s another at Anfield who’s been more consistent across the duration of the campaign, and in fairness, throughout their respective careers at the club.

Szoboszlai is still not Liverpool's best CM

Szoboszlai’s success is built on the stability from his deeper-lying midfield partners.

Market Movers

Ryan Gravenberch is probably going to take home a load of most-improved accolades at the end of the season, for he has eclipsed the level he played at last season, when he only started 12 top-flight fixtures.

However, it’s Alexis Mac Allister who stands as Merseyside’s prized centre-midfielder, not always taking home the loudest plaudits but playing an indispensable role in the high-flying system.

Liverpool signed the 2022 World Cup winner from Premier League rivals Brighton & Hove Albion for a £35m fee in 2023, making a statement on their intent in rebuilding Jurgen Klopp’s industrious midfield.

Below you can see Mac Allister’s seasonal metrics across both Premier League campaigns at Liverpool. At a glance, it seems like he’s regressed across the board, but this isn’t the case.

Indeed, Slot has slowed things down, calmed the storm that raged unabatingly under Klopp’s wing. He’s a better player for it, dictating play with crisp and well-thought-out decisions.

Last season, Joe Cole described Mac Allister as a “superstar” who can “play anywhere”, such is the midfielder’s intelligence and protean technical ability.

He’s settled into a mechanical and combative role in Slot’s system, and it’s working a treat. Gravenberch might be silkier and Szoboszlai is stealing more headlines at the moment due to his advanced placement, but Mac Allister makes things tick.

Is it any wonder CIES Football Observatory, the world’s leading football statisticians, have even marked Mac Allister’s current price tag at £74m, which is a whopping rise from the fee Liverpool paid Brighton – an 111% increase.

An assured metronome, Liverpool have hit the jackpot on this wonderful player, whose impact on the midfield may just reward him with a Premier League title in his second season.

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Angus Sinclair

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There may be a feeling at Manchester City that all will be well again once Ballon d’Or winner Rodri makes his return from injury, with the Spaniard believed to pushing to feature again this season, despite having looked all but certain to be ruled out for the campaign.

That said, do the problems lie deeper than just missing the influential Spaniard? Is there more to the story than merely the midfield void that the 28-year-old has left?

Unquestionably, the loss of the former Atletico Madrid man – who Pep Guardiola described as “irreplaceable” – has been a key factor in the club’s recent slump, although the Citizens have not been helped by the woes of a string of other first-team stars.

Indeed, last season’s PFA Player of the Year, Phil Foden, has scored just seven goals and provided only two assists in the Premier League to date. Bernardo Silva – who was off the pace against Nottingham Forest last time out – has just six goal involvements to his name in the top flight.

Those creative midfield woes are a stark indication of the club’s decline this season, with Kevin De Bruyne perhaps epitomising that drop-off best.

Kevin De Bruyne's Man City decline

All good things come to an end, and – on current form – it looks as if the Belgian’s storied Man City career is reaching its climax, with just a matter of months remaining on his existing deal.

Arguably the “greatest” Premier League midfielder of all-time, in the words of Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher, the former Wolfsburg man has been central to everything good about the Guardiola era, racking up a staggering haul of 280 goals and assists for the club since his arrival back in 2015.

Having set such lofty standards in a side that romped to six league titles in the space of just seven seasons, the now 33-year-old has, perhaps unsurprisingly, regressed in what could prove to be his final campaign at the Etihad.

A return of four goals and seven assists in all competitions in 2024/25 follows what was an impactful, yet injury-hit 2023/24 season, in which the veteran registered 24 goal contributions despite only making 26 appearances.

Perhaps suffering after playing through the pain in the treble-winning season, which culminated in his early withdrawal in the Champions League final, the one-time Chelsea man – who is worth just £22m, according to Football Transfers – appears to have come to the end of the road regardless.

A move to Saudi Arabia or the MLS now appears on the cards, although De Bruyne may not be alone in moving on this summer, with experienced teammate Mateo Kovacic perhaps another in need of a fresh start elsewhere.

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In the absence of Rodri, Guardiola was in need of a suitable short-term solution to plug the gap, having ultimately settled on Kovacic in that deep-lying role, prior to Nico Gonzalez’s late arrival in the winter window.

The Croatian has, unfortunately, been exposed in that midfield berth far too often, however, with the Guardian’s Jamie Jackson noting after the 4-1 defeat to Sporting CP that he ‘lacked the poise and control Rodri applies’.

The £150k-per-week asset’s strengths do lie in possession, as he ranks in the top 1% among his European peers for pass completion, although he can be caught out defensively, ranking in just the bottom 10% for aerial duels won and the bottom 11% for clearances.

The 30-year-old’s defensive woes are also laid bare by the fact that he has been dribbled past 1.2 times per game in the league this season, showcasing that lack of athleticism. Indeed, that is only just behind Manchester United’s ageing midfielder, Casemiro, who has been dribbled past 1.3 times per game.

The decision to sign the ex-Chelsea man on a free transfer had initially looked like good business, with Micah Richards even comparing him to club legend Yaya Toure for his ability to progress the ball, with the defender-turned-pundit stating back in 2023:

Sadly, the one-time Real Madrid man hasn’t been able to live up to such lofty comparisons, with it perhaps wise to consider whether the club should try and make a profit on the player, considering he is deemed to be worth £27m, according to Football Transfers.

The subject of fan frustration following the Champions League defeat to Madrid at the Etihad, Kovacic could find himself out the door alongside De Bruyne, with Caught Offside reporting last month that the club are open to the idea of selling the midfielder at the end of the campaign, with Atletico Madrid seemingly showing interest.

As Caught Offside stated, that sale would be part of the ‘squad evolution’ that is set to continue this summer, with the time having come for Guardiola and co to fashion a new-look, youthful side who can go again in the bid to claim major honours.

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Ben Gray

Mar 12, 2025

يستعد البرازيلي الدولي فينيسيوس جونيور لاعب ريال مدريد الإسباني لخوض مباراة ربع نهائي كأس العالم للأندية، نسخة 2026، ضد بوروسيا دورتموند.

وكشف فينيسيوس جونيور عن النصيحة التي تلقاها من الأسطورة البرتغالية كريستيانو رونالدو لاعب النصر السعودي، والتي كانت سببا في صعوده المذهل نحو النجومية.

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ويواجه ريال مدريد نظيره بوروسيا دورتموند مرة أخرى في إعادة لنهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا 2024 وهي مباراة حسمها فينيسيوس جونيور بهدف في الدقيقة 83 ليفوز ريال مدريد بهدفين نظيفين.

وتأمل جماهير ريال مدريد من فينيسيوس جونيور أن يكون قادراً على قيادة الفريق للتتويج بكأس العالم للأندية ونسيان الموسم الماضي.

وقال فينيسيوس جونيور في تصريحات صحفية حول نصيحة كريستيانو رونالدو مهاجم النصر السعودي له :”أتذكر دائماً نصيحة كريستيانو رونالدو لي”.

وأضاف :”لطالما أخبرني أن تسجيل الأهداف سهل للغاية، لكنني لم أصدقه، ثم فكرت في الأمر ومنحني ذلك طمأنينة في المباريات”.

وواصل : “كل الخبرة التي اكتسبتها أثرت بي حقاً، وقال رونالدو لي إنه عندما يتعلق الأمر بمواجهة حارس مرمى واحد ضد واحد تكون هذه أسهل لحظة في المباراة”.

ويعتمد تشابي ألونسو المدير الفني لفريق ريال مدريد حالياً على العديد من الأسماء الجديدة في تشكيل ريال مدريد ولكن يبقى فينيسيوس جونيور ضمن العناصر الثابتة في تشكيل الفريق منذ بداية منافسات كأس العالم للأندية.

MatériaMais Notícias

Depois de se destacar no futebol da Líbia, Luciano Naninho retornou aos gramados do futebol carioca. Repatriado pelo Volta Redonda, o meia reestreou na vitória sobre o Campinense, no Raulino de Oliveira, pela última rodada da primeira fase da Série C.

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Naninho foi eleito o melhor jogador do futebol da Líbia, após marcar seis gols e distribuiu oito assistências, vestindo a camisa doAl Nars Benghazi. Apesar da boa passagem, o meia revelou que estava com saudade de casa e que se sentiu muito bem na reestreia pelo Voltaço.

-Estou muito feliz por vestir novamente a camisa do Volta Redonda. Todo mundo sabe da minha identificação com o clube, com os torcedores e vou fazer o que estiver ao meu alcance para corresponder e repetir o bom trabalho que realizei nas duas passagens anteriores – disse, antes de completar:

Me senti muito bem durante o tempo que atuei contra o Campinense. Agora é seguir o trabalho com naturalidade. Acredito que com o decorrer dos jogos irei ganhar mais entrosamento com os companheiros, ritmo de jogo, e assim atingir a minha melhor condição em todos os sentidos – finalizou.

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Apesar da estreia na Série C, Naninho não poderá disputar o próximo compromisso do Volta Redonda. O meia-atacante não está inscrito na Série A2 do Carioca, pela qual o Voltaço enfrentará o Olaria, nesta quarta-feira. Já com Luciano Naninho em campo, o Aurinegro encara o Botafogo de Ribeirão Preto, em São Paulo, pela Série C.

Leeds United and the 49ers Enterprises have reached an agreement with one target over a move to Elland Road this summer.

Leeds eye Phillips reunion as 49ers plan for busy summer window

The Whites are now into the Championship run-in, battling Sheffield United and Burnley for one of two automatic promotion spots.

Daniel Farke’s side saw their 17-game unbeaten run come to an end against Portsmouth on Sunday and now have just nine games left to play.

Leeds United’s upcoming Championship fixtures

Date

Queens Park Rangers (a)

March 15th

Swansea City (h)

March 29th

Luton Town (a)

April 5th

Middlesbrough (a)

April 8th

Preston North End (h)

April 12th

Away from the pitch, the 49ers seem to be working behind the scenes on potential Premier League targets, should Leeds get the job done and return to the top flight two years after being relegated.

A plethora of names have been mentioned as players Leeds are looking to sign this summer, such as academy product Kalvin Phillips.

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The central midfielder, who Leeds sold to Man City for more than £40m back in 2022, hasn’t made the impact that he would have hoped at the Etihad.

During his almost three-year stay in Manchester, Phillips has made just 31 appearances under Pep Guardiola and has been loaned out to West Ham and Ipswich Town.

Currently at Portman Road, Phillips has been heavily linked with a return to Leeds, should the Whites win promotion, and now, a big update has emerged.

Leeds reach verbal agreement to sign Kalvin Phillips

According to a new report from TEAMtalk, Leeds already have a verbal agreement in place with Phillips to move back to Elland Road, should Farke’s side go up. Ipswich are unlikely to make a move permanent for Phillips, even if they remain in the Premier League, and a return to Yorkshire is on the cards according to the update.

Man City are aware of Leeds’ interest and will not stand in Phillips’ way to sign for the Whites, should the 49ers make an offer in the region of £20m. Phillips would also have to take a pay cut but is seemingly happy to do so in order to return home.

Now aged 29, Phillips, who was called “superb” by Xavi Hernandez previously, has also been praised by Kieran McKenna earlier this season.

Appearances

234

Goals

14

Assists

13

Yellow cards

54

Red cards

4

Minutes played

18,257

“I think he’s had a really solid first half of the season to be honest. There will always be a different perception of Kalvin because he’s come from Manchester City but he’s a normal person and a very good player who’s trying his best.”

Phillips, as we know, starred under Marcelo Bielsa to help Leeds to the Premier League back in 2020, so Farke will be looking to get those kind of defensive midfield displays out of him next season, should a deal go through.

The Netherlands kept their World Cup hopes alive with a 74-run win over Oman, in a rain-shortened game in Harare, though the margin of victory wasn’t quite enough to see them leapfrog Zimbabwe nor Scotland on net run rate.That was the case primarily down to Ayaan Khan who played a chance-laden hand to register a maiden ODI ton on his way to an unbeaten 105 off 92 deliveries. Alongside him, it was only Shoaib Khan that played an innings of any note for Oman, as the pair combined for a 112-run fifth wicket stand – though at no point did they look like they could seriously threaten the mammoth Dutch total.Ayaan was at the crease when bad light brought play to an early close with Oman on 246 for 6, 44 overs into the chase. Having elected to bat and scored 362 for 7 in a 48-over game, the Dutch had needed to restrict Oman to 242 to ensure their NRR went above that of Scotland. This would have been crucial in the event of three-way tie for second place.That can only transpire if Scotland beat Zimbabwe tomorrow, and the Netherlands then beat Scotland themselves. As things stand, even if Scotland secure a win tomorrow, the Dutch need to the beat Scotland by a big enough margin to leapfrog them on NRR. Any result but a Scotland win tomorrow sees the Dutch eliminated.That they couldn’t secure the necessary margin of victory today might be a minor source of disappointment, as their batters had put them in prime position to do so. Vikramjit Singh notched a maiden ODI century, Wesley Barresi nearly got one of his own, and then cameos from Bas de Leede and Saqib Zulfiqar spearheaded a late onslaught that saw 127 runs scored off the final 10 overs.Their bowlers then gave them a dream start reducing Oman to 4 for 102, only for Ayaan and Shoaib to come together for their defiant stand, one which would have been particularly disappointing seeing that Ayaan had been dropped three times – on 12, 20 and 33 – over the course of his innings. While all three were of varying difficulty, the fact that none were taken would have stung.That wasn’t to take away from Ayaan’s knock though, which encompassed 11 fours and two sixes – one a sumptuous lofted straight drive, and the other a powerful pick-up over long-on. His control percentage of 77% however highlights another area in where the Dutch might have felt a touch unfortunate, with several mishits falling safe.Ryan Klein celebrates another Oman wicket•Getty Images

He struggled most against the excellent Aryan Dutt, whose changes in pace and subtle variations had several Oman batters in difficulty. The right-arm off spinner would end with figures of 3 for 31 in 10 overs, accounting for the scalps of the only other batters to get in aside from Aayan – Kashyap Prajapati, Mohammed Nadeem and Shoaib.Though where Oman really lost the game was in the field, conceding 36 extras in total, inclusive of 23 wides. In a game shortened by two overs a side, Oman gave away nearly four extra overs. This came alongside a poor ground fielding effort in which the several easy singles and twos were given away – all of which would add up.Credit however must be given to the Dutch, who have set the benchmark across the entire tournament in terms of their running between the wickets. Against Sri Lanka, a much better fielding unit, this aggression was sometimes to their detriment, but against Oman every inch that could be gained was.It was the foundation of an innings that never really slowed down, starting with a 117-run opening stand off 132 deliveries and culminating in that devastating death overs assault. In between there was the Singh-Barresi stand for 80 off 72, and then when Singh fell shortly after reaching his century, Barresi would up the ante in successive stands of 30, 55 and 57 with Scott Edwards, de Leede and Zulfiqar respectively.No bowler had a strike rate of less than a 100 against him, though he took a particular liking to the spin of Aaqib Ilyas – stand-in skipper for the injured Zeeshan Maqsood – and Ayaan, taking the former for two sixes over cow corner and the latter for a flat smote over long-off. His 97 came off just 65 deliveries, inclusive of 10 fours and three sixes.The Dutch played the game state well too, promoting both de Leede and Zulfiqar above Teja Nidamanuru when quick runs were the order of the day. The pair would score a combined 72 between them off just 36 deliveries. While that was enough to keep them in with chance of qualification, now they need to hope Scotland do their part tomorrow.

Sunrisers still searching for first win of T20 season

ECB Reporters Network31-May-2023

Dani Gibson struck a blistering 62 off just 46 balls as Western Storm chased down 150 to beat Sunrisers by seven wickets and record their second win in this year’s Charlotte Edwards Cup.Storm lost two early wickets, but vice-captain Gibson blazed seven fours and a six to keep Storm well ahead of the run rate throughout a 115-run partnership in 13 overs with former England batter Fran Wilson, who finished unbeaten on 58.Although Gibson fell with Storm still needing 19 to win, Wilson and skipper Sophie Luff saw their side home with 10 balls to spare.Sunrisers had posted their highest total in this year’s tournament thanks to an eventful 37 not out from Jo Gardner. Gardner who was dropped off consecutive deliveries (on 17 and 20) struck four boundaries in a sixth wicket partnership of 48 with Amara Carr to rescue Sunrisers after a mini mid-innings collapse when three wickets fell for 16 runs, two of them to Chloe Skelton.It arrested Sunrisers’ progress after Lissy Macleod and Cordelia Griffith had also put on a 48-run stand to give the Sunrisers a strong platform of 84 for 2 at the halfway stage.Fran Wilson gets down to sweep•Getty Images

Earlier Luff opted to bowl first to make the most of overcast conditions and her decision was immediately vindicated. Despite Mady Villiers taking two boundaries off Claire Nicholas’ first over, the England spinner was bowled off an inside edge attempting a late cut.Veteran South African international Dané van Niekerk played positively, striking two boundaries down the ground and taking three consecutive boundaries off Lauren Filer before she was caught behind off the same bowler, attempting an upper cut.Irish international Orla Prendergast bowled a tight consistent opening spell, but her figures took a dent when she conceded five wides and Macleod cut her square for four as Sunrisers finished the powerplay strongly on 48 for 2.Macleod drove Sophia Smale through the covers for four and took consecutive boundaries off Filer, hitting her off her hip over fine leg and edging her down to third.Griffith largely played a supporting role. She took a step down the wicket to hit Skelton over mid-off for four but fell to the same bowler when she was sharply stumped by Nat Wraith. Macleod’s innings then ended when after stroking Gibson through the covers, she struck the next delivery straight to point.Grace Scrivens perished when the ball flew off her inside edge to Luff at midwicket off Skelton while Carr stuck around to supported Gardner in a sixth wicket stand in 6.3 overs before she fell to a stunning one-handed catch by Gibson off her own bowling.When Storm batted, Villiers struck in the first over, her drag-down pulled straight to mid-on by Wraith. Prendergast was then run out via a fortunate rebound off Scrivens’ palm as she fielded the ball in her follow-through but from that point, at 16 for 2, Storm did not look in any trouble with the experienced Wilson combining with Gibson in a match-winning stand.Gibson went on the attack against the leg spin of Abtaha Maqsood and hit seamer Kelly Castle for consecutive boundaries including one high over deepmidwicket to take Storm to 82 for 2 after 10 overs, just two runs short of Sunrisers at that stage.Gibson struck a huge six over deepmidwicket off Gardner to reach her half century off 33 balls, before taking another four off her next delivery.Wilson meanwhile cut and pulled Scrivens for consecutive boundaries and pulled and reverse swept Abtaha Maqsood for two more before driving Eva Gray through cover to bring up her half-century off 36 balls.Gibson eventually fell caught in the deep off Castle but by then the winning line was almost in sight.

Luka Modric is on the verge of signing for AC Milan after bidding adieu to Real Madrid.

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Milan wants to bring Modric to San SiroModric had positive talks with Milan's sporting directorTijjani Reijnders moves closer to exitFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

As per in Italy, the Croatian midfielder has had productive talks with Milan's sporting director Igli Tare, and the Serie A club believes a contract agreement is just around the corner. The arrival of Modric coincides with Tijani Reijnders moving closer to Manchester City, with an agreement reportedly already in place with the English club.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Modric left Los Blancos as the most decorated player in the club's history, having won 28 trophies in 13 years. The Spanish club decided to part ways with the Croatian despite reports he wanted to extend his contract until 2026. In talks with Milan, the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner showed a total willingness to join the Italian side, and only a few personal issues need to be sorted before a deal is finalised.

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Modric will join a Milan side coming off the back of a disappointing season that saw them miss out on a place in next season's Champions League. With Reijnders leaving and the likes of Rafael Leao and Theo Hernandez expected to leave, the presence of 39-year-old Modric may provide a much-needed lift heading into next season.

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gettyWHAT NEXT FOR AC MILAN?

Mike Maignan is also being considered to sell by Tare as he enters the last year of his contract with the Italian side, with Chelsea interested in signing the goalkeeper.